Go-bag for emergency situations

Abstract

A go-bag is disclosed. The bag is designed to contain valuables and important documents, and protect these contents during an emergency evacuation situation. The bag can waterproof and float in water. The bag can also be made of a flame resistant material. The bag can include a self-orienting feature where the bag can float in water and automatically rotate to achieve the proper orientation so that the integrated solar panel is facing upwards towards the sun.

The invention claimed is: 
     
         1 . A bag comprising:
 a first side wall and a second side wall joined along a perimeter to define an interior void of the bag;   the first side wall including a solar panel disposed on an outer surface of the first side wall, the first side wall also including at least two buoyant layers attached to the first side wall beneath the solar panel;   the second side wall including a first pocket disposed on the second side wall inside the interior void, the first pocket including an onboard battery;   the second side wall also including a buoyant layer attached opposite the at least two buoyant layers of the first side wall; and   wherein the first side wall has more buoyant layers than the second side wall to automatically self-orient the bag in water so that the first side wall is disposed closer to a surface of the water than the second side wall to expose the solar panel to sunlight above the surface of water.   
     
     
         2 . The bag according to  claim 1 , wherein the first pocket including the onboard battery is fully closed. 
     
     
         3 . The bag according to  claim 1 , further comprising a second pocket within the interior void of the bag. 
     
     
         4 . The bag according to  claim 3 , wherein the second pocket is disposed on the second side wall. 
     
     
         5 . The bag according to  claim 1 , wherein the onboard battery is a rechargeable battery. 
     
     
         6 . The bag according to  claim 5 , wherein the onboard battery is electrically connected to the solar panel. 
     
     
         7 . The bag according to  claim 1 , wherein the onboard battery provides power to at least one component of the bag. 
     
     
         8 . The bag according to  claim 7 , wherein the at least one component includes a tracking beacon, an electronic locking system, a fingerprint reader, an electronic keypad, or a charging port. 
     
     
         9 . The bag according to  claim 1 , further comprising a charging port electrically connected to the onboard battery;
 wherein the charging port is configured to power a cell phone or other device stored inside the interior of the bag.   
     
     
         10 . The bag according to  claim 1 , further comprising two straps so that the bag is configured to be worn as a backpack. 
     
     
         11 . A bag comprising:
 a first side wall and a second side wall joined along a perimeter to define an interior void of the bag;   the first side wall including a solar panel disposed on an outer surface of the first side wall, the first side wall also including at least two buoyant layers attached to the first side wall beneath the solar panel;   the second side wall including a buoyant layer attached opposite the at least two buoyant layers of the first side wall;   a first strap and a second strap disposed on an outer surface of the second side wall opposite the outer surface of the first side wall including the solar panel;   wherein the first side wall has more buoyant layers than the second side wall to automatically self-orient the bag in water so that the first side wall is disposed closer to a surface of the water than the second side wall to expose the solar panel to sunlight above the surface of water.   
     
     
         12 . The bag according to  claim 11 , wherein the first strap and the second strap allow the bag to be worn on a user's back such that the solar panel is exposed to sunlight. 
     
     
         13 . The bag according to  claim 11 , wherein the first side wall and the second side wall meet at a tab. 
     
     
         14 . The bag according to  claim 13 , wherein the tab includes a releasable closing system. 
     
     
         15 . The bag according to  claim 14 , wherein the tab includes a locking mechanism. 
     
     
         16 . The bag according to  claim 15 , wherein the locking mechanism is mechanical. 
     
     
         17 . The bag according to  claim 15 , wherein the locking mechanism is electrical. 
     
     
         18 . The bag according to  claim 17 , wherein the electrical locking mechanism is supplied power from the solar panel. 
     
     
         19 . The bag according to  claim 17 , wherein the electrical locking mechanism is supplied power from an onboard battery within the interior void of the bag. 
     
     
         20 . The bag according to  claim 11 , further comprising lateral side walls extending between the first side wall and the second side wall on each side of the bag; and
 wherein the lateral side walls each include a buoyant layer.